I exercise with dvds and often mix it up. I think the main thing is to have a bit of a structure. I do three full body strength workouts a week with a day off (from strength) in between. In the in between days, I do cardio and or yoga/stretching. If a workout mixed strength and cardio--I count it as strength. Within that, it works out to do whatever workouts I want that day. There are some video programs that include schedules and progress to more challenging levels as you work through the system. I have had the best results with those, but I have a hard time sticking with the same dvd instructor long enough. So I tend to do similar to what I described-- the strength workouts from whatever system three times a week with whatever cardio on alternate days. I try to take one to two rest days a week, on the "rest day" I may still do some active recreation, walk, mild intensity dance or a longer stretching or yoga section--just no vigorous exercise. I think if you have a good general plan, you can use whatever workouts you want that challenge you (for the strength and cardio workouts) and are well designed workouts.

I never do the same one two days running - one day it might be just cardio, the next day just strength, then perhaps a mix of the two.

I tend to do alot of Jillian Michaels and The Firm and I find that when I mix them up before I know it the week is up and it's time to start a new week and a new rotation!

I also go running outside and lift heavy a couple of times a week, so with that and my DVDs I have settled into a nice little workout routine which is full of variety.

I also find that if I haven't done a DVD for a while then I really feel it and know that my body has had a wake up call. For example, on Thursday just gone I did Jillian's Extreme Shed & Shred for the first time in a few months.

Now as I said, I workout with Jillian alot but as I hadn't done Shed & Shred for a while, when I did I could really feel it big time! I felt sore (but not bad, injured sore, good hard-worked sore) and my muscles were alive and kicking!!

I use DVD's for exercise and switch them up all the time. Each one works me out a litte differently. So I think it is good to do the different exercises. And besides -- I would be bored out of my mind if i repeated the same things every day!

I constantly rotate what I do...yoga, pilates, bowflex, weight interval training, rest... As long as you're moving, it doesn't matter what you're doing. Walking the dog(s) counts too! Just keep it moving and you'll be on your way!

Poofersgirl, you adapt your eating to the exercise you do to lose weight. It's important to adequately fuel your workouts, so that in the end, you should be aiming for the same average weight loss goals per week regardless of whether you are burning 2000 calories a week or 500. :)

I have several DVD's but my favorites are the 2 leslie sansone ones and I will start alternating them. I also have a SP video. I hope to lose 10 lbs by July or sooner. My Calorie intake is 1200 to 1500 but my burn rate is 310. Do I need to burn more calories to lose the weight? I have been under my calorie intake by a few hundred a few times a week. Once I was over and a couple days I was within.

Because your weight loss is about the food you eat, NOT the exercises you do, there is no negative to swapping out your DVDs. In fact, it's a good idea! Changing up what you do is a good way to keep yourself from getting bored, and your body from adapting to the same old workout day after day.

You will lose weight by burning more calories than you consume. HOW you burn those calories isn't really as important as the fact you are. Strength training is excellent, though effective strength training is important. If you can do 15+ reps of a given exercise, you aren't challenging your muscles enough (most cardio videos that include "strength" use low weights, like 2 or 4 lb dumbbells, which are not very effective for long.) Strength training will boost your metabolism and help you burn more at rest.

I would definitely rotate - otherwise your body gets too used to the movements and the exercises are no longer challenging. I like the FIRM and Tae Bo workouts, but I usually try to find DVDs on sale and have a bunch of them. If you have compacts there are some good ones 'on demand' that rotate and that is a free way to check out different types of videos. Its a great way to get in a workout in a hurry.

One of my biggest challenges is my lack of patience! Not a good trait when trying to acheive long term weight loss in a healthy way! I was looking for advice on rotating DVD's so for example, Wk 1: Power 90 Wk2: Slim in 6 Wk 3: Biggest Loser....etc. I have those complete sets and may even add Turbo Jam and long term goal is sanity. The question is if i keep rotating so that weekly I am still getting a good balance of cardio and strength training is it ok to rotate? I thought perhaps it would reenergize me to know I'm starting something new each week...little mini goals if you will. Or...am i inhibiting my weight loss with this? Please let me know advice and also any recommended dvds!

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